Question by Crystal: I’m physically addicted to Percocet but need it for an injury…Help!?
I have a slipped disk in my back, and also two bad knees. I’m working on losing weight (had the Lap Band placed and Exercise/Count Calories). The weight loss will eventually help, but it is a long process. I have been taking Percocet for a long time now, and have gone from 5mg, to 7.5 mg, and now 10 mg. The longer you take it, the more you need. I cannot take NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, etc) because I am allergic. Percocet has seemed to be the only thing that helps me thus far.
The problem is, if I have a good day…where I’m not in that much pain and I don’t need a pill, my body will actually withdraw from it. Not only is it a scary though that I am “physically addicted” to this medicine, but what is going to happen when I don’t take it anymore? Should I be taking a different medicine or are all narcotics pretty much the same? Is there anything I can do when I go through the withdrawals? I would really appreciate help that anyone could give me. Please- nice answers only. This is a medicine that I am prescribed by my Doctor- it is not used for recreational reasons. Thanks so much!
Best answer:
Answer by jigglyball26
I went through this a couple years back. I practically cut my leg off when I was 11 and had been on pain meds for years. They put me on narcotics when I was 18. I ALWAYS took them as I was prescribed and one day I didn’t feel like going to get my script. I woke up the next morning and couldn’t get out of bed because of withdrawl. I have never done drugs in my life, well except for the teen years experimenting, and it scared me. I called my doctor right away and scheduled me for rehab. They told me instead of a “addiction” I had a “dependency” on the narcotics. I have since gone to Pain management to control my pain with minimal narcotics. It sucks when you HAVE to have something stronger than OTC meds. My advice, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Best of luck to you!
What do you think? Answer below!
you need to have your phys set you up with pain management;; you will go through an evaluation so you can tell them @ this time what meds you’ve been thru & what your symptoms are now;; think about this too, you can actually be experiencing more pain BECAUSE of the percocet.. keep in touch with your doc & a good PT for your back & knees, you might want to think aquatics (therapy, not swimming);; you need to be helped with body mechanics for your back so you can possibly naturally realign your discs & not reinjure them again.. ONE GOOD THING TO FOLLOW is to QUIT holding your breath!!! (even when you sit & stand, roll in & out of bed);; your knees can be helped by exercise too, you need to get your muscles stronger so they produce less tension to your knees, limiting the amount of steps you go up & down; & getting a little more active THROUGHOUT the day;; these are ONLY a FEW things to help you unitl you get to the right people;; whoever you go to, don’t be afraid to ASK a lot of questions so you can translate this stuff to home… good luck!!